
BY 

EDWAED J. PRINDLE, 

AUTHOR OF 

Beach's "Art of Curye Pitching" and "Art of Batting," 

AND 

"The Art of Zigzag Carre Pitching.-' 



Price, 15 Cents. 



MILTON, CONN. : 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 
1890. 



Read This ! ! 



"The Art of Curve Pitching" 

AND 

"The Art of Batting," 

Ed. J. Prindle, Author. A. J. Reach Co. Publishers. 



Twenty thousand copies of these books have 
been sold and their sale still continues. If this 
fact justifies the assertion they must possess some 
merit. Leading ball players have indorsed them 
as being the best ever issued. The former con- 
tains 52 pages and is a complete treatise on the Art 
as it covers both the subject of "curving and "stra- 
tegic" pitching. It is the only book published 
which gives the correct explanation of the "curve." 
The latter contains 42 pages and is a book which" 
every ball player should own. If it could not be 
had for less it would be cheap at $1.00. Both 
books are plainly illustrated. Statistics and play- 
ing rules are entirely omitted, the space being oc- 
cupied by solid and valuable information. If you 
have not seen them and want to surprise yourself 
as well as your companions with your improvement 
in playing, purchase and read them carefully. 
You will never regret it. I will send either one 
by mail, postpaid, to any address in the United 
States or Canada on receipt of 15 cents in silver or 
20 cents in stamps. Canadian customers are re- 
quested to remit silver instead of stamps. 

Address, 



EDWARD J. PRINDLE, Milton, Conn. 



THE .A.IR_T 



OF 



Base Running 



A BOOK OF INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROFESSIONALS AND 
AMATEURS, CONTAINING CLEAR AND CONCISE 
DIRECTIONS FOR ACQUIRING A SCI- 
ENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF 
/ f T-' THE ART. 



Reach's "Art of Curve Pitching" and "Art of Batting, 9 ' 





BY 



EDWARD J. PEIXDLE. 



AUTHOR OF 



"The Art of Zig-zag Curve Pitching.*' 



STILTON', CONN". : 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 




1890. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1890. by 

EDWARD J. PEIXDLE, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, 



Preface. 



In presenting this work to the American public 
it is not my intention or desire to apologize for so 
doing. A few prefatory remarks, however, will, 
perhaps, not be considered out of place. 

The science of Base Bunning seems to be grow- 
ing in the favor of the more progressive class of 
base ball players of to-day. This is certainly a 
long step in the right direction. What is needed 
now are more steps in the same direction. It is 
with a view to helping forward the good work that 
this treatise on the Art has been written. The 
class of players which I desire to reach through 
these pages is chiefly the amateur class: but I be- 
lieve that there are those among the professional 
part of the fraternity who can read them, with pro- 
fit to themselves. At all events it can do any such 
no harm to read this book even if it does them no 
good. In this, Fortune seems to favor the brave. 

Completeness is not claimed for this work. No 
man riving can write on any subject so exhaustive- 
ly as to preclude the possibility of improvement, 
either by himself or someone else. This fact must 
i >e the authority for the old maxim, "Two heads are 
better than one if one of them is sl cabbage-head." 

Two years have elapsed since my "Art of Bat- 
ting 1 ' was placed in the hands of the printer, and 
three years since my "Art of Curved Pitching" 
rirst made its appearance. Both of these works 
have apparently given good satisfaction if their 
popularity may be judged from their sales, which 
have amounted, in the case of the "Art of Curved 
Pitching" alone,* to over sixteen thousand copies. 
It will be a source of intense gratification to me if 
this book meets with an equally favorable recep- 
tion. Nothing gives an author more real pleasure 
than the knowledge of the appreciation of the pub- 
lic for his work. Pecuniary considerations are 
items of secondary importance. 

To the reader, in conclusion, I will say: Re- 
member that this subject furnishes a comparative- 
ly new field of operations for an author and for 
that reason be as charitable as you can in criticis- 
ing the results of my labor. With this request I 
lav down the pen. E. J. P. 

Milton, Conn., Jan. 1, 1890. 



Introduction. 



From the time of the introduction of the curve 
in base ball playing until within a comparatively 
recent period it is safe, perhaps, to say that pitch- 
ing has received more attention, especially from 
the amateur class of players, than all of the other 
departments of the game put together. We do 
not know why this is unless it is because the curve 
possesses a sort of fascination which creates an ar- 
dent desire in the mind of Young America to mas- 
ter what was once considered by many, and is even 
now considered by some, to be an incredible and 
impossible feat. Certain it is that the power to so 
direct the ball that it will turn jn a graceful curve 
from a direct path without being influenced by 
any visible force, does possess a good deal of fas- 
cination for a mind that is philosophically inclined. 
To such a mind the curve is a beautiful problem 
and one which never loses its attraction. The 
members of an amateur team will look upon the 
expert curve pitcher with a sort of awe and vene- 
ration as if he belonged to a higher order of be- 
ings than themselves. No doubt the desire to se- 
cure this feeling of respect from his companions 
has been the direct and only cause for the excess 
of attention which many an ambitious amateur has 
given to the subject of curve pitching. But be 
this as it may it is evident that within the past two 
years the thinking class of base ball players have 
recognized the fact that pitching has claimed al- 
together too much of the attention of the profes- 
sion at the expense, and to the serious detriment 
of Batting, Fielding, Base Running, etc., and are 
now turning their attention to these very impor- 
tant but neglected factors. 

As an Art — requiring, as it does, the best of skill, 
coolness, and good judgment — Base Bunning, to- 
day, stands at the very head of the list. In no 
other department of the game — not excepting even 
that of Pitching — is so much coolness, daring, and 
correct calculation required as in Base Bunning. 
To be a successful base runner one must know ex- 



THE AET OF BASE RUNNING. 



5 



actly what to do in many cases and also know jnst 
when to do it since an interval of a second or even 
half a second frequently decides the question of a 
runner making his base. He must be a quick and 
accurate calculator of time and distance or else he 
will hardly attain a very high degree of skill in the 
Art. Of course there are valuable auxiliaries but 
one must possess the requisites just mentioned in 
order that he may be thoroughly successful. Qual- 
ities which are weak or entirely lacking in an in- 
dividual, are generally greatly improved or whol- 
ly supplied by practice, although a case is occa- 
sionally met with which seems to be an exception 
to the general rule. This, however, must be ex- 
pected since they are found in all other occupa- 
tions of life. 

Advantages of Skillful Base 
Running. 

As we have already intimated. Base Running has 
received considerable attention, especially from 
the professional class, during the past two years; 
and, judging the future from the recent past, it 
will continue to engage their attention for some 
time to come. *It is also to be hoped that the ama- 
teur class will give it more serious study and at- 
tention than they have done heretofore. This last 
remark is not made to include every individual 
amateur player nor every amateur team, but ama- 
teurs as a class. Perhaps even among the profes- 
sional class are individuals who could read these 
pages without detriment to themselves. 

The advantages to a team to be derived from ex- 
pert Base Bunning can hardly be overestimated. 
For example a player may be weak at the bat and 
enabled to make first base only through the failure 
of the catcher to hold the last strike — something 
of frequent occurrence in amateur games — but 
who, having reached first base, is enabled to com- 
plete the round of the others without difficulty and 
score his run by reason of his being an expert in 
Base Running. On the other hand of wmat parti- 
cular advantage to a team is a player who, although 



G THE ART OF BASE RUNNING. 

a safe and sure batsman, is regularly put out be- 
tween bases on account of unskillful Base Run- 
ning, except to let in men who are already on the 
bases? Of course good batting is an especially 
valuable feature of the game — no one will attempt 
to deny that : — but it must be supplemented by 
skillful Base Running. In these days of phenom- 
enal pitching in which so many men are struck 
out it becomes absolutely necessary that the base 
runner should get around to third base as soon as 
possible, before three men are put out, in order to 
be in a position to take advantage of a short hit by 
the batsman and score his run. Many times a 
man on first base can only get to second on the 
hit by the batsman, or if he happened to be at sec- 
ond base be only able to reach third: whereas if he 
had been at third base when the hit was made he 
might easily have scored. This must account in a 
great measure for the small scores made by the 
professional teams of to-day. How often we read 
of their being held down to one or two runs and 
not infrequently shut out altogether. Now there 
is some reason for this. Of course it is because 
the first team was not sharp enough for the second 
or else because the second team was too sharp for 
the first. But where does the fault really lie? Is 
it not fair to suppose that it lies, in a great meas- 
ure, in the Base Running? No one, it is true can 
do impossibilities: but does not the Base Running 
of to-day admit of the possibility of a good deal of 
improvement. 

"How shall this be accomplished?" is the ques- 
tion which naturally follows. The object of this 
essay is to answer that question by discussing the 
essential points of the Art of Base Running and 
by pointing out what the base runner ought to do 
and also what he ought not to do. Therefore read 
on. We will try to advance a few ideas worthy of 
consideration. 

Necessary Qualifications, 



First on a list of arranged topics for discussion 
comes the above. It would be well, perhaps, to 
mention with considerable completeness what the 



THE ART OF EASE RUNNING. 



7 



qualifications of a good base runner are. First 
he must be a quick and accurate judge of chances, 
time, and distance. This will enable him to tell 
just when it is time for him to run and in most 
cases to determine whether he can make the next 
base or not. As we have already stated, many a 
run is decided by a period of time not exceeding a 
second, or even half a second in many instances. 
An unthinking person may doubt this statement 
but it is capable of easy proof. The distance from 
one base to another is ninety feet. An expert run- 
ner ought to cover this distance in from three to 
three and one-half seconds, or at the rate of from 
twenty-five to thirty feet per second, and any good 
average runner ought to make it in from four to 
four and one-half seconds, or at the rate of from 
twenty to twenty-two and one-half feet per second. 
Now many a run is either won or lost by a much 
smaller distance than that which, is represented by 
one-half of these figures, instances being] frequent 
where men are declared out when within two, or 
even one foot of the base, or declared safe when 
the runner reached the base only a foot or two in 
advance of the ball. Now then what fractional 
parts of a second do these figures represent? We 
believe these to be fair statements which ought to 
furnish considerable food for reflection for the in- 
credulous. 

The qualification second in importance to the 
one just mentioned is a good pair of legs. It is 
absolutely necessary that one should possess these 
in order to excel. He may possess the requisite 
amount of good judgment but this will avail him 
little of itself in stealing bases if he is a poor run- 
ner. Fortunately one's running capacities im- 
prove by practice: therefore no one need despair 
on account of this weakness. No one can expect 
to be universally successful. The best of base 
runners miss their calculations occasionally. If a 
runner always waits until he is dead sure of mak- 
ing his base he will prove an expensive ornament 
to his team. We don't advocate rashness or fool- 
hardiness; but we do advocate well-calculated bold- 
ness. The timid and indecisive base runner will 
stick to his base — afraid to run, yet knowing that 
he ought to — throwing away opportunity after op- 



8 



THE ART OF BASE RUNNING. 



pertunity to make the next base safely; while the 
base runner, who possesses boldness and decision 
among other good attributes, will take a good lead 
and at the first motion of the pitcher to deliver 
the ball to the bat will be off like a shot . Timidi- 
ty is certainly one of the chief causes of poor Base 
Running to-day and anyone who desires to excel 
in this branch must change his tactics if he is af- 
flicted with this unfortunate failing. On the other 
hand a person can go to the other extreme and be 
to bold. There is an intermediate line which sep- 
arates these two extremes, which is, of course, just 
right: and in the ability to tell just where this line 
lies in each instance, lies one of the greatest se- 
crets of the Art. In a majority of cases it is some- 
thing which requires long study and practice to 
acquire. There are doubtless some cases— in this 
as well as in other vocations — where the faculty of 
always, or nearh" always, doing the right thing at 
the right time, and that without previous prepara- 
tion, seems to be born with a person. Xo one can 
dispute this. A person, therefore, who desires to 
excel in Base Running must exercise his best judg- 
ment to determine where this line lies: and when 
he is able to do this, that which is probably the 
greatest difficulty, is surmounted. What if he is 
put out a few times in thus practicing? Is it any 
worse than to be left on a base or to be forced off 
and then put out? The conscientious player will 
always play for the best interests of his team and 
not for an individual record. In our opinion it 
would be a good thing if the legislative branch of 
the profession would make a rule charging a play- 
er with an error every time he is left on a base. 
While this would, no doubt, seem rather unjust 
in manjT- cases, yet on the whole we firmly believe 
that it would prove decidedly advantageous in the 
end, and that it would have a marked tendency to 
overcome this timidity of which we have just spok- 
en and to stimulate base runners to greater exer- 
tions. 

Another important factor in Base Running is 
watchfulness. If a runner lets his attention wan- 
der from his position through general negligence, 
conversation with a baseman, etc., he is quite like- 
ly to be thrown out at the base. Our private opin- 



THE AET OF BASE RUNNING. 



9 



ion publicly expressed is that if the base runner 
exercises a proper degree of care, attention, and 
watchfulness there is very little danger of his be- 
ing put out in this manner ; and to the want of 
proper care and attention we charge so many "put 
outs' ' at bases. 

Con fidence is something' the base runner should 
possess. Without it he will hardly succeed. It is 
an old maxim — applicable to nearly everything — 
that confidence is half the battle. If it is true in 
anything it is true in this. As we have already sug- 
gested, of what particular advantage is it to a base 
runner to be able to make a good hit and then, af- 
ter reaching first or second base, hug it as he would 
his best girl, afraid to leave it for fear he may be 
thrown out at that base or for fear he may not be 
able to reach the next one. We fancy we hear such 
a person say "Nothing ventured, nothing lost." 
Kind reader, we cannot agree with you there. Are 
you playing for yourself or for your team ? If for 
your own record, your answer may, in one sense 
of the word, be correct. If for the interests of 
your team, it is entirely wrong. Suppose you ex- 
ercise a little more boldness, complete the round 
of the bases and score a run, are not both yourself 
and your team better off than if you had remained 
glued to that base until three men had been put 
out ? We therefore beg leave to amend your quo- 
tation b}' saying "Nothing ventured, nothing 
won," and then you have it as it should be. 

Coolness is akin to confidence although differing 
from it in some respects. Coolness shows up to 
its best advantage when its possessor gets into a 
tight corner such as being caught between bases. 
In such a case the base runner needs to keep his 
wits about him especially if he finds an expert 
baseman on each side of him. Our own personal 
experience is that, although we were not often 
caught thus, we were always more than ordinarily 
successful in extricating ourself when we were 
caught. Our plan of operations will be fully dis- 
cussed under the head of "Caught between Bases." 
Coolness must be coupled with attention. One 
must know what he is about to do and why he 
does it. 

Decision must also form part of the base run- 



10 



THE AKT OF BASE RUNNING 



Tier's education. He must learn to make quick 
decisions and then act without an instant's hesita- 
tion. We think we have advanced satisfactory 
reasons why it will be too late to reach a base 
when only half a second before there was plenty 
of time in which to do it. From this any person 
ought to be able to see why hesitation maj' be fa- 
tal in such cases, and also to see the value and ne- 
cessity of cultivating decision of purpose. 

Familiarity with the Rules. 

We consider this qualification worthy of a spe- 
cial heading. Cases without number are continu- 
ally occurring in amateur games where a base 
runner might take advantage of a mistake of great- 
er or less importance on some technicality and 
take one and perhaps two bases without danger of 
being put out, if he was only a little more famil- 
iar with the rules. A good illustration of this is 
found in the case of a "block" (Rule 35). If the 
pitcher happens to be ignorant of this rule a base 
runner may score a good point in his own favor. 
It is also a self-evident fact that the base run- 
ner should be thoroughly acquainted with the 
rules in order that he, himself, be not betrayed 
into any indiscretion which would result disas- 
trously for him. He should have them at his 
tongue's end, as it were, in order that he may 
know just what to do as well as what not to do. 
This applies to players in all other positions as 
well: but since we are conversing with base run- 
ners we direct our remarks especially to them. 
Familiarity with the law is the principal reason 
why a good lawyer has an advantage over a poor 
one. Having the law in his mind he is able to take 
instant advantage of any mistake of his opponent 
who has the law only in his books. It is the same 
in Medicine, it is the same in Theology, in short 
it is the same in everything. Familiarity with 
one's business is what makes him master of it. 
Unfamiliarity with his business or profession puts 
any person in the position of the pupil instead of 
the master. For this reason the would-be expert- 
base runner should thoroughly commit the rules 



THE AET OE BASE RUNNING. 



11 



•to memory, reviewing them frequently to keep 
thein fresh in his mind: and anyone who cannot 
see the advantages to be gained by so doing is 
blind indeed. 

Readiness for Instant Action. 



The foregoing has been devoted more to argu- 
ments and theories than to practical work: and we 
will suppose that the reader has carefully digested 
what has already been said. We will now place 
him at the bat and at the same time call his atten- 
tion to the heading of this article. It is not our 
object to consider him as a batsman any longer 
than about to make a hit or his final strike. We 
will suppose that he has only one strike left him 
and that the pitcher is about to deliver the ball. 
He must have the idea firmly impressed on his 
mind that if he strikes he must drop his bat and 
start for first base instantly, whether he hits the 
ball or not, without looking around to "see if the 
ball has been caught by the catcher. The delay 
occasioned by so doing often puts a man out when 
the last strike has been missed by the catcher, 
when if he had not thus looked around to see if 
there was any use in running he might have reach- 
ed his base in safety. If a hit is made which yields 
one base easily but which makes reaching another, 
doubtful, the base runner has a good opportunity 
for exercising his judgment as to whether he can 
make it or not. But time is now precious and he 
must decide what to do instantly. If his decision 
is favorable for making the attempt he should start 
for the next base at the top of his speed, remem- 
bering that half a second of time may decide the 
matter. If he thinks that he cannot make it he 
should act accordingly: but whatever he does he 
must act 1 with great promptness especially if he 
decides to 7 run. 

Leading Off 



This is a very important topic. We will suppose 
that the base runner has reached first base in safe- 
ty. He must now start away from the base toward 
second base as far as is consistent with safety The 



12 



THE AET OF BASE RUNNING. 



position of the body in taking a "lead" is an im- 
portant factor. That assumed by Walter A. La- 
tham, the renowned professional, whose portrait, 
showing him in the act of "leading off," appeared 
in Reach's "Guide" in 1888, exactly agrees with 
our own idea of how it ought to be done. We re- 
fer the reader to the engraving in question: and 
those of our readers who have preserved the copy 
of the "Guide" for that year should study the en- 
graving carefully. It shows him just leaving the 
base with his feet well separated, the knees con- 
siderably bent, the body leaning well forward, and 
the arms in a position well calculated to serve the 
purposes of a balancing pole. The entire picture 
shows the player in a sort of crouching or stooping 
position. The stooping position of the body en- 
ables the base runner to spring much more quick- 
ly in either direction than if he stood upright. In 
taking a "lead" he should not advance slowly and 
steadily away from the base as such a proceeding 
is almost certain to invite a throw from the pitcher 
to the baseman; but he should advance with a sort 
of hopping or springing motion, his weight nearly 
evenly distributed on both feet (since by so doing- 
he can more easily and quickly return should he 
so desire) and after proceeding a few feet toward 
second base he should return part of the distance 
at least, and if he sees that the pitcher is giving 
him more than his share of his attention it would 
be well for him to return the entire distance. The 
return should be made in the same manner as the 
advance (unless the pitcher throws to the base) — 
with a sort of springing motion — and while thus 
vibrating back and forth he will always be in good 
form either for advance or retreat, and at the same 
time he will create in the pitcher's mind the idea 
that it will be of no use to try to catch him by 
throwing to the base. If the base runner is per- 
fectly certain that the pitcher is not watching him 
he need not retreat at all: but he should retreat 
every time the pitcher looks in his direction. Per- 
haps these directions for procedure will not meet 
the views of some — we presume they will not — but 
they are those which we have always followed and 
we can conscientiously say that as a base runner 
we were usually more than ordinarily successful. 



THE AET OF BASE RUNNING. 



13 



This statememt is not made in a spirit of egotism 
or conceit, nor for the purpose of boasting: but 
simply to show that the above directions are based 
on experience and are of real value, and are not 
empty theories. 

''How much of a 'lead' should be taken?" is na- 
turally the next question. An exact answer which 
shall hold good in every instance cannot be given 
since it depends wholly on existing circumstances. 
In some instances in amateur games a ''lead" of 
fifteen feet may be safe. In others a "lead" of six 
might be very dangerous. A base runner who is 
watchful and attentive can safely take a greater 
"lead" — other things being equal— than one who 
is not. He can also take a greater "lead" with 
safety to himself when a careless or inattentive 
pitcher is occupying the "box" than when this lat- 
ter position is filled by an expert. Some pitchers 
make it a point to try to catch base runners nap- 
ping at every opportunity offered. Others very 
seldom throw to a base. This fact would materi- 
ally affect the amount of "lead" the base runner 
could safely take. As a rule, pitchers who are 
swift and accurate throwers are more apt to thus 
try to catch a base runner, than one who is a poor 
thrower and who is aware of his failing. Our own 
observations are, that, in throwing to bases, the 
advantage, on the average, is largely in favor of 
of the base runner : yet a good pitcher will never 
neglect to do it if he thinks the circumstances jus- 
tify his so doing. If he catches his man he has 
done a good thing (for himself); but if he throws 
the ball too high or too wide for the baseman to 
catch he could hardly have done a worse thing 
for himself or a better thing for the base runner. 
But this important point will be more fully dis- 
cussed farther on. To return to the subject in 
question we can only say that the amount of ''lead" 
a base runner can safely take is governed entirely 
by the conditions of each individual case; and for 
that reason the base runner must be his own judge 
as to what is safe for him to do. 

Watching the Pitcher. 



TV T e give the above heading to this topic for the 



14 



THE ART OF BASE SUNNING. 



sake of brevity, although the topic itself will in- 
clude more than the heading indicates. 

A popular contemporaneous writer on this sub- 
ject remarks as follows: "One difficulty abase 
runner, trying to seal to second, invariably en- 
counters, is his having to watch either the pitcher 
or catcher closely. He cannot watch both careful- 
ly and therefore he must make his selection as to 
which player he will look after. If the catcher 
is an accurate and swift thrower to bases, he is 
the man to be attended to. But if the pitcher 
is one who has a method of delivery which in- 
cludes a number of special movements which oc- 
cupy more than the ordinary time in delivering 
the ball, then he is the man to watch, for he wil] 
surely afford the runner the required opportunity 
to steal a base or to secure a balk, if the runner 
only plays his part properly." 

Most of the arguments of this author in his dif- 
ferent works on our national game, are, in our 
opinion, based on good judgment and sound com- 
mon sense : but we are free to say that if we un- 
derstand his meaning in this case w T e do not under- 
stand his logic. He seems to carry the idea that 
the base runner should first determine which man 
should be watched and then rivet his attention on 
him to the utter exclusion of everyone else. If 
this is the idea he intends to convey we do not hes- 
itate to say that we consider it poor logic. For in- 
stance suppose the pitcher is the man he deter- 
mines to watch, w r hy should he continue to con- 
centrate his attention on him after he has deliver- 
ed the ball into the hands of the catcher ? Is not 
the latter the man to watch now ? What harm can 
befall the base runner from the pitcher so long as 
the catcher holds the ball? Again, suppose the 
base runner concludes to devote his attention to 
the catcher, what harm can come to him from this 
individual so long as the pitcher holds the ball? 
Again, suppose the ball has been hit to center 
field, why should he continue to watch either pitch- 
er or catcher? Is not the fielder the proper per- 
son to engage his attention now? The author, 
just quoted, seems to have expressed himself in 
plain English, but if we have unwittingly placed 
any misconstruction on his meaning we take the 



THE ART OF BASE RUNNING. 



15 



present occasion to ask his pardon for the severe 
criticism. Our own views, recapitulated, are as 
follows: while the pitcher holds the bail watch 
aim; wkile the catcher holds it watch him: and 
while a fielder holds it,watch him. In short, give 
y,our attention to the man who holds the ball, no 
matter who he may be. No one who does not hold 
it can do you any harm. Since the pitcher stands 
nearer the basest and, as a rule, has the ball more 
of the time than does the catcher, we think that he 
can fairly be considered the more dangerous of 
the two to the base runner. However, a swift and 
accurate thrower behind the bat is always a source 
of danger to a base runner who does not attend 
strictly to business, especially while at first base. 
But for our part we consider it to be an act of in- 
excusable carelessness for a base runner to allow 
himself to be caught napping in this way at all. 

A splendid point to play at this time if the base 
runner be an expert, is to purposely go so far from 
the base as to tempt the pitcher or catcher to throw^ 
to the base to put him out. This feat or ruse, re- 
quires nice calculation on the part of the base run- 
ner in order that he may get back to the base in 
time. The object of this ruse is to induce the 
pitcher or catcher to make the throw, hoping that 
it may be so wild as to render the stopping of it 
by the baseman impossible. If the trick succeeds 
the base runner can easily make one, and perhaps 
in some instances, two bases. But it requires great 
caution on his part else his little joke may recoil 
on his own head. But whether it succeeds or not 
the chances are largely in his favor, and for this 
reason he should not hesitate to try it whenever the 
opportunity offers. In amateur games it w r ill be 
found to be a feature of strategy not to be over- 
looked nor despised. Amateur pitchers, as a rule, 
are quite apt to throw wildly when suddenly de- 
livering the ball to the base, and base runners 
should bear this fact in mind. But above all they 
must remember that when about to try this trick 
it won't answer to be talking wdth the baseman or 
a spectator, nor to let the attention wander for an 
instant from the man who holds the ball. 



16 , THE AKT OF BASE RUNNING. 

Holding a Base too Long. 



This is something the base runner very frequent- 
ly does. It is generally the result of inattention 
on his part, and the delay thus occasioned is often 
the means of preventing him from making an ex- 
tra base. If the ball— a grounder — be hit into the 
out field, the base runner, who, we will suppose, is 
at first base, may think that, although it is appar- 
ent to him that he can easily make one base, the 
ball will be sure to be captured by the fielder in 
time to prevent his making two, and for this rea- 
son may take his own time in running down to 
second; and then- but too late— sees the ball fum- 
bled by the fielder and that if he had been a little 
more prompt he might have reached third, A 
base runner must learn never to take anything of 
this nature for granted. If he hits, while at the 
bat, a ball which is stopped at once by the pitcher 
and by him thrown at once to first base, he should 
run instantly without waiting to see if the ball is 
stopped by either of them; for the throw to first 
may be a wild one and this would enable the run- 
ner to reach the base. There is another impor- 
tant reason why he should at least make the at- 
tempt. If he does not, the pitcher will make the 
throw at his leisure; but if he does, the pitcher 
will naturally use more haste; and anyone knows, 
or at least ought to know, that a ball is much more 
likely to be thrown wildly when haste is used, 
than when it is not. For these reasons the base 
runner should always act on the idea, in all such 
cases, that the chances are in his favor, until he is 
declared out by the umpire. 

Stealing Bases. 



This feat calls into active service all the good 
judgment, attention, confidence, coolness, and 
running powers the base runner possesses, and in 
our estimation it is the most important i>art of his 
work. To be able to steal bases successfully in 
spite of a vigilant pitcher and a powerful and ac- 
curate thrower behind the bat, is one of the fine 
arts in base ball playing. The successful stealer 



THE AET OF BASE BTTNUISTG. 



of bases must know the value of half a second: he 
must be ever ready to take a risk but at the same 
time he must instinctively know the difference be- 
tween a fair risk and foolhardiness: and he must 
learn to be decisive and to act instantly on his de- 
cisions. Hesitation will do him more harm in 
stealing bases than in any other part which he is 
called upon to perform. 

In stealing bases the base runner is greatly fa- 
vored by Rule 32, Section 1. He should take as 
great a "lead" from his base as is consistent with 
safety, and then at the very first motion of the 
pitcher to deliver the bail to the bat, he should 
be off like a shot for the next base. If the pitcher 
has a number of preliminary motions which he ha- 
bitually uses in delivering the ball to the bat, the 
fact will be decided favorably for the base runner. 
But if, on the other hand, the preliminary motions 
be few— the ball being" suddenly delivered — the 
base runner has less chance for stealing a base. 
He must remember, however., in either case, that, 
after he once starts, the free use of his legs is his 
only hope. 

In stealing bases the runner must be very care- 
ful not to make the dash an instant too soon. If 
he does he stands a good chance of being put out. 
This starting too soon is usually the result of a mis- 
understanding of the motions of the pitcher by 
the base runner. He must remember that the 
motion of the pitcher which gives him his cue to 
start must be one which the pitcher habitually 
uses in delivering the ball to the bat and may be 
either of the hand or foot and in the ability to tell 
just when this motion is made, lies much of the 
skill of the expert base runner. 

Sliding to Bases. 

Many times in running from one base to anoth- 
er, it becomes necessary for the base runner to 
drop and slide the remainder of the distance in 
order to avoid being put out. This is a very val- 
uable feature of Base Running, but it must be 
used with discretion. It probably is never indulg- 
ed in except as a last resort to reach the base in 
safety. It is not presumable that the base runner 



L8 



THE ART OF BASE RUNNING 



would indulge in it for mere pleasure. There are 
a few things connected with it which base runners 
should thoroughly understand before attempting 
to practice it. In the first place they must re- 
member never to drop until they are absolutely 
sure that they can reach the base, since if they 
cannot do this they are sure to be put out, barring- 
accidents. The position of the body in sliding in 
seems to be an important question at the present 
day. Some slide feet first, others head first. The 
latter style seems to be the more modern one of 
the two. Those who have practiced both claim 
that the base runner is much less liable to sustain 
injury when sliding head first than when sliding 
feet first. Latham, of the St. Louis team is an ad- 
vocate of the head-first slide, and it is stated on 
good authority that he claims never to have sus- 
tained the least injury in so doing. The testimo- 
ny of such a player is worthy of a high degree of 
credence and players can follow his example with 
much confidence. There are doubtless other base 
runners of high standing who slide feet first. It 
is quite probable that it is the same in this as it is 
in many other things, viz. that what will be a suc- 
cess with one will be a failure with another. There- 
fore base runners will do well to try both styles 
faithfully and then adopt that which comes most 
natural for them to use. As for their respective 
merits we cannot speak from experience since we 
always used the feet-first slide in cases where it 
became necessaiy to slide at all. The runner must 
remember that when he drops for a slide he should 
fall on his side or hip rather than on his face or 
back. The patent sliding pad materially reduces 
the danger of receiving injuries while sliding to 
bases. 

Slackening Speed too Soon. 



Many a base runner has been put out at a base 
just when he thought himself safe, not because he 
did not run fast enough but because he slackened 
his speed too soon. Now this is an item worthy of 
special study. Time and again have we seen run- 
ners thus put out when they mi°rkt easily have 
made the base had they kept up their speed. There 



THE ART OF BASE RUNNING. 



19 



is not the least particle of doubt in our mind that 
in most instances this slackening of speed is due 
to fear of over-running the base. With the rules 
as they now are, this fear is, to a certain extent, 
justifiable when the runner is approaching second 
or third base: but at home or first base, where 
over-running is allowable, it cannot be advanced 
as a good excuse. In regard to the rule applying 
to the over-running of bases our opinion so exact- 
ly accords with that of Mr. Chadwick that we quote 
his opinion in full from his ''Art of Base Running. 1 ' 

He says: "The rule allowing the first base to be 
over-run was adopted in 1870 and it has become a 
permanent law of the game. The proposition now 
is to appry the same rule to the other bases, and 
there is everything to favor it. In the first place 
there is no doubt that allowing all the bases to be 
over-run will save many a sprained ankle and in- 
jured limb, while in no respect does it take from 
the interest of the game or lessen the amount of 
skill required in base play. There is not the least 
merit in putting out a player who has over-run 
second or third base, the skill of the baseman alone 
being shown in putting him out before he touches 
the base. In applying the rule to all the bases it 
Will be best to require the player over-running 
second or third if not the first, to return and touch 
the over-run base. If the rule be not the same 
for all bases the umpire will find it difficult to de- 
cide points on second and third bases, which would 
not be the case if the base runner were required 
to return and retouch the base. Of course no base 
is over-run in the case of a home run, nor is the 
first or second base over-run on a three-base hit.'' 

The above contains about all we would say on 
the subject. It is to be earnestly desired that the 
present rule will be changed soon, so as to allow 
all bases to be over-run alike. What is the use of 
requiring the base runner to run the risk of break- 
ing a leg or his neck when the difficulty can be so 
easily obviated? Of course it will not do away 
with sliding to bases entirely, but it will decrease 
the frequency of the necessity of so doing. 



1 



20 



THE ART OF BASE RUNNING. 



Annoying the Pitcher. 



An expert base runner can annoy a pitcher ex- 
ceedingly sometimes if he desires to do so. The 
pitcher being one of the most dangerous foes that 
the base runner has to encounter, it is especially 
desirable to break up his composure and get him 
excited if possible. If the base runner succeeds 
in doing this, it will not only be a point gained in 
his own favor but also in that of the batsman for 
if the pitcher gets excited he cannot deliver the 
ball to the bat so effectively as if he keeps cool. 
One player should always aid another whenever 
he can, and especially should he do so . when he is 
going to benefit himself at the same time. This 
ruse can be practiced by making feints without 
actually doing anything. But the expert base 
runner is always a source of annoyance to a great- 
er or less extent, to a pitcher, whether he feints or 
not. Especially is this the case when the base run- 
ner is one who is well known to be an expert in 
stealing bases. For the pitcher will consider it his 
duty to keep his north-west eye on him in addition 
to his regular work: and this, with the continual 
expectation of the runner's stealing a base, will 
try his coolness to its fullest extent. 

Mutual Assistance. 



Two base runners can greatly assist each other 
in many instances it they only know how. For 
example, if one be on first base and the other on 
third, if the pitcher be inexperienced, the base 
runner at first can make a dash for second, and 
during the excitement and confusion consequent 
upon the attempts to put him out, the runner on 
third can get home. One or the other is certain 
to make his base: but it is more desirable to run 
this risk of being put out when it is to decide a 
close point, than at any other time. Of course 
the risk of one man's being put out always 
accompanies this ruse, but in many cases it is worth 
the sacrifice if there be any. One man is almost 
certain to be caught between bases, but this does 
not insure an "out" by any means, especially in 
amateur games. It would, perhaps, hardly pay to 



THE ART OE BASE RUNNING. 



21 



jittempt this dodge if two men are already out: as 
in that ease, the pitcher, instead of trying to put 
out the man who is trying to get to second, might 
throw the ball to the catcher and, put out the other 
runner at the home plate. In a majority of cases 
it would be best for the runner at first base to 
wait until the pitcher is in the act of delivering 
the ball to the bat or else until the catcher actual- 
ly has it in his hands before making his dash for 
second, since by so doing, the risk of the runner 
at third being put out would be reduced to a mini- 
mum. He, then, would hardly start for the home 
plate until he saw that the ball had been thrown 
to the second baseman by the catcher. If the 
catcher holds the ball the other runner, of course, 
reaches second safely and neither man is put out. 

Caught between Bases. 



It is a very important thing to know what to do 
iwhen placed in this very awkward position. The 
| proportion of base runners who can safely extri- 
cate themselves with any degree of certainty when 
'thus caught, is small indeed. The proportion, 
however, such as it is, might be considerably in- 
creased if base runners were a little better versed 
in the study of human nature. A runner, thus 
caught, is put out in hundreds of instances where 
there is little or no necessity for it. We do not 
twish to be understood as saying that the runner 
Jean escape every time, by any means, nor perhaps 
^even in a majority of cases; but we do say that he 
might escape in many more instances than he does. 
Ninety per cent, of those who might escape but 
who are finally put out, lose their scalp because 
they are too slow. The base runner does not want 
to stand still — figuratively speaking — when thus 
caught, and allow the baseman who has the ball to 
walk up and put him out. 'Not at all. And yet 
this is about the way the average amateur base 
runner will do.' On the contrary, when he finds 
himself thus surrounded he should make a rush 
for the baseman who does not ho la the ball as if he 
intended to run straight through him, He should 
keep his eyes fixed on this individual's countenance 
and the expression of the face and the uplifting of 



22 



THE ART OF BASE RUNNING. 



the hands will tell the runner when the ball has 
left the hand of the other baseman. It won't al- 
ways do to look around to see when he throws it. 
for he may be close behind him. When he sees 
that the ball has been thrown he should instantly 
turn and make a similar rush in the direction of 
the other baseman. If the latter has approached 
pretty close this will be favorable for the base run- 
ner, since it will be necessary for the other base- 
man to make a quicker return of the ball to his 
companion before the base runner can get past 
him. The chances are, that, by the time the base 
runner has made two or three turns, the haste of 
the basemen in throwing the ball engendered by 
the rapid movements of the base runner, coupled 
with the fact that he is continually between them 
and thus interfering with their aim, will cause one 
or the other of them to make a wild throw and 
then, of course, the base runner easily reaches his 
base. On the other hand, if the runner moves as 
if he was tired the basemen can perform their part 
at their leisure and the result is that the runner is 
almost certain to be put out. The runner should 
remember that the old saying, ''The more haste, 
the less speed," fits this case like a duck's foot in 
the mud, but that it applies to the basemen and 
not to him. Of course he can overdo the matter; 
but he will not if he exercises a reasonable amount 
of coolness. In making the sudden turns above 
referred to, he should not wait until the ball is 
actually in the hands of the baseman in front un- 
less he is pretty certain that the said baseman is 
only making & pretense of catching the ball — some- 
thing which he can easily do if he thinks of it. 
For the benefit of basemen we take this occasion 
to state that this latter was always a favorite trick 
of our own while covering a base: and we never 
could repress a smile on seeing the base runner 
turn and run directly into the arms of the other 
baseman as we glanced expectantly behind the 
runner and raised our hands to catch a ball which 
had not been thrown. 

From personal experience we are enabled to say 
that these directions for procedure when caught 
between bases will usually be found to be very 
successful, especially in amateur games. Profes- 



THE ART OF BASE BTJNNING. 



S3 



sionals will be less likely to become rattled and 
thus allow the base runner to get past: but in either 
professional or amateur games it will be found to 
be the best plan of operations to follow. At the 
same time remember that we do not claim infalli- 
bility for it. 

Running on a Fly Ball. 



Mr. Chadwick says: "In running bases on fry 
balls caught in the out field, the moment such 
high ball is hit, and there is any chance of its be- 
ing caught, he should hold the base he occupies, 
and in such a way as to be ready to start quickly 
for the next base the moment the ball is causrhi, 
and not run half way down, first, only to have to 
return and touch the base he left, after the ball is 
caught, before he can run to the next base." 

Xow is this good advice? Is it not the exception 
instead of the rule? Is it not better to advance as 
far from the base as is consistent with safety in 
case the ball is caught, so that, in case it is not 
caught, the base runner will have only about one 
half the distance to run that he would have had if 
he had remained on the base he was occupying 
until he saw whether the ball was caught or not? 
Is it not a better plan to run the risk of having to 
return than to run the risk of failing to make the 
next base? We invite unprejudiced criticism. 
The liability of fly balls being caught does not 
amount to a certainty by any means, especially in 
amateur -games. For this reason we question the 
wisdom of Mr. Chadwick's advice. 

Forcing Off. 



This is something* of which the base runner 
should be very cautious when he is in a position 
to ''force" another runner: and when he is in a 
position to be "forced" by another he should 
do his best to put an empty base between them. 
For this feature of the game we will prescribe the 
following rule: Whenever it becomes necessary 
to force a runner off his base, do it without a par- 
ticle of hesitation: but never do it without it is 
necessary. 



24 



THE ART OF BASE RUNNING. 



Running into Basemen. 

This is something which we have frequently wit- 
nessed. In some cases it may become necessary 
or even unavoidable. In nuch a case it is bad 
enough, since serious or even fatal consequences 
might easily result. More than one fatal case is 
already on record. But for a base runner to run 
at full speed against a baseman, when there is no 
necessity whatever for his so doing — as we have 
occasionally personally witnessed — for the sole 
purpose of knocking him down and thus cause him 
to miss the ball which is being thrown to him, is a 
low, cowardly, and unmanly trick. There is no 
justification whatever for it, and nobody but a ruf- 
fian will ever do it. If, on the other hand, the 
baseman purposely gets in the base runner's way 
in order to make him stop or turn aside to avoid a 
collision and perhaps miss the base by so doing, he 
forfeits his right to immunity from injuy and de- 
serves to be knocked down. But the base runner 
should always bear in mind what the possible con- 
sequences of the collision may be and make the 
blow as light as he conscientiously can. We fancy 
that no one with a spark of humanity about hini 
would care to be the author of a fatal accident. 

Study of the Theory. 



By this we mean thinking about it, meditating 
upon it. A person who has never given this prin- 
ciple <my serious thought can scarcely realize the 
amount of benefit a person will derive from giving 
the subject in question - whatever it may be - his 
careful and frequent consideration. By studying 
up the theory, revolving the details in his mind, 
and originating conditions in his imagination, he i 
becomes thoroughly conversant with its details and I 
is enabled to put them at once into execution when 
he is brought face to face with practical work. : 
This applies admirably to the present subject and 
no base runner who desires to excel should pass it . 
lightly by as something unworthy of his notice. 
For further remarks on the same subject we refer 
the reader to the article k< Meditation as a path to 
success" in our "Art of Batting." 



THE AKT OF BASE KUNNING. 



25 



Miscellaneous 



Conversation with a Baseman: — Never hold 
any conversation with a baseman. It takes your 
attention from the one to whom you should give 
it. to bestow it upon one to whom it should not be 
given. Remember that alertness and attention to 
business are cardinal virtues in the base runner 
and that their absence betrays the pupil and not 
the master. A good baseman will refuse to hold 
conversation with a base runner. Therefore learn 
a lesson from him. 

Taking Advantage of Accidents: — The base 
runner should always hold himself in readiness to 
take instant advantage of any accident in his favo'r. 
So should any other player for that matter. In 
amateur games errors are frequent: and if the base 
runner is ever ready to take immediate advantage 
of them it will be a great point in his favor. For 
instance if he be at first base and the ball be thrown 
to the baseman too wildly for him to stop it, he 
should not wait to see how r far it is likely to go but 
should start for second base without an instant's 
hesitation. We assume this particular case for 
the purpose of illustrating our exact meaning. 

Conclusion. 



In this "Art of Base Running" we have given 
directions how to proceed in certain cases. Con- 
tingencies will doubtless arise which these direc- 
tions will not cover except in a general way and 
perhaps not even then. Circumstances always al- 
ter cases and the base runner must use his own 
judgment as to what is the proper thing to do in 
many instances. What will answer at one time 
may not answer at all at another: but it is our 
earnest wish that these directions, even if they do 
not develop the expert, may at least lay a solid 
foundation for future success. 

Note. 

If those who read this work have never read the 
author's "Art of Curved Pitching" nor his ,k Art of 



THE ART OF BASE RUNNING 



Batting" we strongly recommend that they pro- 
cure and read them. They are not compilation of 
statistics nor of dry, uninteresting matter, but re- 
liable, and, we trust, entertaining, works of instruc- 
tion which contain not only clear and concise di- 
rections for acquiring the "Arts" which their names 
indicate, but also many valuable hints and sugges- 
tions for all classes of players. The former seems 
to be especially popular if we may be allowed to 
judge from its sales which have amounted to over 
sixteen thousand copies since its first appearance 
three years ago. The latter is a later but no less 
valuable work. They are published by A. J. 
Beach Co., Philadelphia, Penn., and will be sen! 
by them by mail, postpaid, to any address, on re- 
ceipt of fifteen cents each. The author of this 
work can also furnish them at the same price to 
all persons who would prefer to order through him. 



Reach's Catchers' Gloves. 



DCS 



&3 



«*3 




No. A. 



FRONT VIEW. 
REACH'S MITT GLOVE 



he Latest Catching Glove, and will be used exclusively by profession- 
the coming season. This glove is laced all around, as shown in the 
t. The advantages we claim for the lacing are : If the padding should 
:'ome packed (by unlacing the glove) it can be taken out, loosened up 
d replaced, making it equal to new. The catcher can also make the 
dding heavier or lighter as he may desire. The padding is so arrang- 
that the glove can be used at once in a game without any previous 
raking in. It is made of the best quality mouse-colored buckskin and 

manufactured un- 
der the personal su- 
pervision of E. Har- 
ry Decker, Catcher 
of the Philadelphia 
Base Ball Club. A 
first-class throwing 
glove with each 
mitt. 

Price, per pair* 
S7.50. 



PATENT 

APPLIED 

FOR. 




BACK VIEW. 



